The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by computed tomography (CT) scan and coronary artery disease (CAD) measured by the calcium (CAC) score among HIV-infected persons.

To determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease as determined by computed tomography (CT) of the coronary arteries among HIV patients, and to compare it to data from the general population using normative data from recent publications [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), d-dimer, adiponectin levels, future inflammatory markers, and genetic polymorphisms with the presence of coronary disease and NAFLD [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To assess the relationship between increased pericardial fat on CT scan with visceral fat and cardiovascular disease [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To determine if Hounsfield units taken in the heart and aorta estimates hemoglobin levels [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To measure the pulmonary artery size to evaluate for prevalence of asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension among HIV-infected persons [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To describe the outcome of a positive CAC score in terms of follow-up test/procedure results to help describe the clinical significance of elevated scores. [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

Blood samples will be obtained

Enrollment:

233

Study Start Date:

December 2008

Study Completion Date:

December 2013

Primary Completion Date:

March 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

HIV positive patients who had participated in our previous Liver Study at NMCSD will be given the opportunity to participate in this study, as well as HIV patients who did not participate in the Liver Study.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

HIV patients who participated in our previous Liver Study, conducted at NMCSD, and HIV patients who did not participate in the Liver Study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding will be excluded.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00889577